Direct Relief, in partnership with the National Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (NAFC), announced today an initial $150,000 pool of funds for emergency operating grants of up to $25,000 each for Charitable/Free Clinics and Charitable Pharmacies in Texas and Louisiana to help address immediate financial needs that have arisen from the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey.
Direct Relief and NAFC have worked closely together for more than 12 years to support the work of these organizations treating patients throughout the country. They have worked on several strategic partnerships targeting resources and financial support aimed at helping to bolster the services provided by NAFC members.
“For the past decade, Direct Relief has worked closely with NAFC and supported its 60 members in Texas that provide care through 350,000 patient visits each year and deployed their staffs and resources immediately to care for those in shelters and in communities affected by Harvey,” said Direct Relief President and CEO Thomas Tighe. “These organizations are a critical part of the health safety net for people who are particularly vulnerable in Harvey’s wake, and this initial funding is to ensure they can continue to play this vital role providing care for people with few other options.”
This funding pool is structured to help assist NAFC members with immediate needs, including supporting any unanticipated, but non-reimbursable costs, such as outreach, overtime pay, supplies, clean-up efforts, transportation, and other essential items in communities that have experienced damage or operational losses from Hurricane Harvey. Funding is made possible due to contributions Direct Relief has received for Hurricane Harvey. NAFC will manage and grant funds in consultation with Direct Relief.
Already, initial needs have been communicated with NAFC members, including the Ibn Sina Foundation in Houston and Christ Clinic in Katy, which are providing expanded medical assistance for flood-affected individuals and families. The clinics have treated dozens of children and adults and continue to provide free consultations, tetanus shots, insulin (for adults), hygiene kits and other support.
“The NAFC is thankful for our Partner Direct Relief and for their constant dedication to providing assistance for the medically underserved and members of the safety net, including Free and Charitable Clinics and Charitable Pharmacies,” said Nicole Lamoureux, NAFC CEO. “It is difficult times such as these that we often see the best in humanity, where people and organizations step up to do whatever they can to help others. This is exemplified in Direct Relief’s work in disaster relief and in their continued commitment to helping the medically underserved and those in need.”
Direct Relief continues to provide emergency assistance to NAFC members, as well as other safety-net providers throughout Texas and is in contact with facilities in Louisiana. Since Hurricane Harvey made landfall, Direct Relief has provided 93 emergency shipments to 26 sites containing more than $1.7 million in medicines and supplies, which include tetanus, insulin, and other requested medications that are critically important for patients with chronic conditions that can rapidly become life threatening if unmanaged.
